BANGKOK, July 15 — Stocks in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines rose today ahead of a key Greek vote and a speech by the US Federal Reserve chief, while Indonesia snapped recent gains after a narrower June trade surplus and ahead of a long break.

The key Singapore index posted a fourth straight gain to a more than one-week high, while indexes in Malaysia and the Philippines both extended gains for a fifth trading day.

Indonesian financial markets will be closed from July 16 to July 21 for the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Markets will reopen for trading on July 22.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was slightly higher. Investors in Asia awaited congressional testimony by the Fed chief late in the session and a Greek parliamentary vote on austerity measures.  

The Jakarta composite index fell 0.7 per cent, reversing four days of gains. Indonesia‘s trade surplus narrowed to US$477 million (RM1.8 billion) in June, with weak imports and exports underscoring concerns over weakening growth.  

Thai shares fell amid selling in large-cap banks such as Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai Bank ahead of quarterly earnings announcements due by next week. Vietnam eased on profit-taking. — Reuters